As a group CARG offer the following opportunities
We are available and qualified to give
Training days carried out by expert ecologists
Social events
To become a member send an email request to
Bank transfer details will be forwarded to you.
You will receive a welcome email and login details to ARGWEB - in which the appropriate membership forms and voluntary forms will be required to be filled in for your membership.
Toad Patrols
Become a patrol manager of a registered road or a patroller to help to assist in helping our native common toad to their breeding ponds
Surveys
Contribute to the collection of data - building a picture of reptile and amphibian distribution within our county
Habitat Management
Practical ground management improving the quality of amphibian and reptile habitats
ARGWEB Management Software
Managing membership/ managing survey direction and reporting/sharing data info to land managers, owners, stakeholders
Volunteers wanted
With Cumbria being a large county we are looking for volunteers to help create sub groups in the south, west and central areas.
A least one day a month commitment to help run toad patrols in the new year and surveys next spring.
If this interests you please email cumbria.arg@gmail.com
Watchtree basic survey day
During August (date to be confirmed) we are holding a training day on basic reptile - common lizard / amphibian- frog and toad survey techniques. This is for members only and will include an introduction to the species, how to plan and carry out a survey. Refugia will be placed across the reserve and a continuation of monitoring will take place early next year.
Data collection
A conservation student from The University of Cumbria is currently compiling a reptile and amphibian data map for Cumbria which will help us progress with surveys in the future.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis Event
Towards the end of September and to mark the end of summer surveying "Lakeland Wildlife Oasis" are inviting us to a exclusive tour of their park (wildlife park group fee applies). However, anyone that attends this event will receive a planned second event early next year (free of charge) this will be to visit their new reptile enclosures and conservation breeding programmes.
A busy couple of months with the continuation of survey work at Natural England sites Cliburn moss and Finglandrigg.
Please email cumbria.arg@gmail.com if you are interested in helping monitor Common lizards at Cliburn moss.
In June as part of the University of Cumbria outreach team, Suzanne introduced locals to some exotics -Royal python, Corn snake and Gecko at the Cumberland Show and chatted about native reptiles and amphibians which can be found in Cumbria as well
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In July a presentation was given to Dalston parish council detailing the dissertation work carried out by Suzanne Collinson on the local slow worm population which resides in the village. This included information on how identifying individual slow worms helps give a more accurate population count and it enables the monitoring of movement across the site.
A continuation of this was also spending a day at the local primary school introducing reptiles, habitats and conservation to the children.
Also members of the Cumbria amphibian and reptile Facebook group were invited to a informative talk by Foulshaw moss reserve manager Paul Waterhouse on the amphibian and reptile species that can be found at the Cumbria wildlife trust site in south Cumbria.
An excellent productive day, welcoming new members to Cumbria ARG.
An introduction to reptile ecology and survey techniques.
Recording 3 adult Common lizards, adult and juvenile frogs and toads.
This is an on going regular survey for Natural England - if you would like to be involved please get in touch via cumbria.arg@gmail.com !
Monitoring of Adders has taken place on a regular basis by a dedicated team of volunteers.
Refugia is checked for Adder presence.
Where possible and with as little disturbance as possible, photographs have been taken via a long lensed camera, these images are to build a data base of individuals at the site.
A wildlife camera has been set up to record individuals and behaviour with some excellent results (available on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/589703024785031/chats/)
Toad patrols are for supporting amphibians and reptiles on their migration to their breeding ponds by helping them cross busy roads (by stopping them getting squashed!)
The patrols are supported by Froglife Toads on the roads but each site is managed individually and sites need to be registered with Froglife and all volunteers taking part need to be registered for insurance purposes
Contact details for our South Cumbria patrols: Email address for Toad Coordinator Matt sandstoadpatrols@gmail.com
Contact details for Appleby patrol: Email address for Toad coordinator Suzie cumbria.arg@gmail.com
Contact for Ambleside patrol: Email address for Toad coordinator Ashleighedoutreach.cumbria.arg@gmail.com
An introduction to amphibian and reptiles biosecurity Biosecurity_web_page.pdf
A disease guide for fieldworkers Amphibian_Disease_Precautions_A_Guide_for_UK.pdf
A disease alert to protect wild amphibian and reptile species by reducing disease risk in captive amphibian and reptilesReducing_disease_risks.pdf
Colour sheet to download THOM_Toad_colouring_sheet.pdf
Two age groups
6 and under
7 years to 12 years
The competition will be judged by Charlie Roberts and there is one prize per category!
Please send an image of your entry to cumbria.arg@gmail.com remember to add your name and age.
One entry per person.
Closing date 1st of December 2023 at 12 midday
To record the species you see Record_Sheet.pdf
Information posters
A quick introduction to amphibian and reptiles for primary school children Primary_School_Amphibians_and_Reptiles_poster.pdf
Adders are Amazing Activities
Practical activity 5_Food_chains_and_webs.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 7_Wind_snakes_activity.pdf
Practical activity 8_Adder_hunt_quiz_activity.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 9_Adder_stone_trails_activity.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 13_Adder_nightlights.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 15_Adder_amulets.pdf
Arts and crafts activity 17_Adder_bookmarks.pdf
Baking activity 18_Snake_snacks.pdf
English and literature activity 19_Adder_poetry_activity.pdf
Class work
Power point looking at differences between snakes and lizards (emphasis on Slow worms) Reptile_school_talk_slow_worms.pptx
Frog and toads
Basic images showing frog metamorphosis Frog_cycle.pdf
A frog mask template to decorate Frog_mask_template.pdf
Detailed Information on Common frogs, Common toads and NatterjacksNative_frog_and_toad_posters.pdf
Mix and match game - matching the correct definitions to the correct speciesMix_and_Match_Game.pdf
A quick guide to spawn identification ARG_UK_Spawn_ID_.pdf
Toad patrol involvement for children and vulnerable people Toad_Patrols_for_Children_and_Vulnerable_people.JPG
Amphibian and Reptile Quiz
Identify the correct species by just their eyeball. A tricky but fun quiz! Eye_ID_quiz.pdf
Mix and match game - match the correct habitat to the correct species Habitat_Mix_and_Match_.pdf
Note down the correct habitat or habitats for the species. Similar to the mix and match game but with pictures!Habitat_Quiz.pdf
Reptile Activities
Arts and crafts activity Snake_rock_poster_activity_.pdf
ID guides from ARC Trust and ARG UK:
How to record your sightings How to record your sightings
Membership Membership tutorial
Upcoming events will be listed here.
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